random-access

adjective

ran·​dom-ac·​cess ˈran-dəm-ˈak-ˌses How to pronounce random-access (audio)
: permitting access to stored data in any order the user desires

Examples of random-access in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Their work incorporated a form of error correction and a type of random-access memory (RAM). Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2025 For instance, for artificial intelligence training fast solid-state drives are often used for feeding data to memory, usually dynamic random-access memory that supports the fast data access required for efficient and effective use of GPUs. Thomas Coughlin, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 The fab is the first dynamic random-access memory manufacturing plant built in the United States in 20 years, Scott Gatzemeier, Micron’s corporate vice president of U.S. expansion, previously told the Statesman. Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 6 Mar. 2025 Back then, ICs, such as random-access memory chips, were typically produced in a monthlong stop-and-go march through dozens of manual work stations. IEEE Spectrum, 27 Nov. 2024 While Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest maker for dynamic random-access memory chips, saw its shares drop 1.9%. Ryan Browne,anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2024 The fab would be the United States’ first dynamic random-access memory, or DRAM, manufacturing plant built in the last 20 years, according to Scott Gatzemeier, Micron’s corporate vice president of U.S. expansion. Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 22 Mar. 2024 The research firm foresees the revenue for DRAM (dynamic random-access memory) chips declining 39.4% in 2023 but expects a rise of 86.8% in 2024 as pricing keeps rebounding. Faustine Ngila, Quartz, 7 July 2023 In the Lisa and most other operating systems, two indexes access a program on floppy disk, using up precious random-access memory and increasing the delay in fetching programs from a disk. IEEE Spectrum, 2 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of random-access was in 1953

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Cite this Entry

“Random-access.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/random-access. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

random-access

adjective
ran·​dom-ac·​cess
ˌran-dəm-ˈak-ˌses
: permitting access to stored data in any order the user desires

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